1. Every time I'm creating an interview, I'm listening to the band's music, so I can easily visualize all the things that would eventually interest me and so I can better „ imagine" the composed music. When I'm listening to Krohm, the comparison „dark tales" comes to my mind for some reason...How would you define the Krohm music yourself? Do you think, there's something in it, that you couldn't find in any other band?
Krohm's music is the tragic trip to imminent death. We're all on one of our own…and I think Krohm's music is a reminder of this.
2. The next aspect which appeals to me while listening to „A World Through Dead Eyes" is sort of a „restitution", Krohm reminds me of a way, which is needed to pass, so the man can reach some kind of a mental purification. I'm not sure, maybe it's only my point of view, but I would presume to say, that Krohm is also your outlet for the bitter expereiences, vexation...
It is…the process of writing this music is a cathartic experience for me. I put a lot of thought and work in it, especially when I feel like I am starting to tap into deep-seated aspects of my mind. Krohm's sounds tends to go down a tortured musical path and the same goes for how I craft the songs – it's not an easy or pleasant process by any means.
3. From that, there would naturally follow on, that you could go back to the times, when it was composed while listening to it. Is that right? Could you remember, which period of your life was it, when you've been composing and recording „A World Through Dead Eyes"?
I can. It was a time of transition for me... breaking off old relationships and going through a period of solitude and regrouping. I am particularly fond of how music attaches itself to memories like this…
4. Today, after some time, what are your feelings about that album? Do you like both its instrumental and atmospheric side? One of the thing that imposes me is its „ corded " sound, which is permeating through the whole album fairly, and it's possible to remain a free space for thoughts. Simply - the album is kind of a poetic item for me, tranquil, but powerful listening.
I appreciate your thoughtful observations. I'm still very satisfied with AWTD. As more time goes by I can listen to the record every once in a while with a real objective take on it. I only wish more time was taken to mix and master the final product but I did the best I could with the time/budget I had.
5. I guess the debut was recorded under domestic conditions? How do you like working alone? Can you imagine, that Krohm would be a project of more people?
The AWTD full-length Album was the only release I recorded in a professional studio. Everything else I have done, and will do, will be in my own home studio. Krohm exists only as my solo project. If I were to collaborate with any other musicians it would be under a different moniker.
6. Finally, we're getting to the new album! Tell us, all the details relating the album, please, we're eager... Won't the album be circumfused by any conception? Will it be as same cold, emotional?
The new album will be released by Debemur-Morti in Europe and licensed by the Moribundcult in the US. The European release will be in June and in the U.S. on August 14th. The album's title is "The Haunting Presence" and it will contain 7 brand new tracks. The common concept is very much reflected in the title of the album. The music itself has been a huge part of me in the last 3 years and in many ways I feel there is an essence being transmitted by these songs. I have also been experimenting with capturing strange noises and EVPs over the years and these can be found if you listen closely throughout the album as well.
7. What about the lyrics and future? Will you keep the same theme as before? At this time, when the trend is singing about the World War II., paganism or Satan, it's difficult to find your own and individual shape of self-expression... What is your opinion about this?
I don’t nor will I ever care for trends when it comes to my lyrics. That is not to say they will always be the same but I definitely don’t consciously try to fit any particular mold. I write my lyrics as poems before I put them to music, this way I don’t confine myself or commit to any structure. This is probably my own way of retaining an individual aspect to my lyrics. I draw the most satisfaction out of being able to express thoughts or ideas that have been difficult for me to put into words and if I can communicate thoughts to my listeners that they may not ever have thought before.
8. I can't imagine, that you would abolish the keyboards in Krohm. In my opinion, it's creating kind of a harmony together with guitars, which is always permeating through the whole album. Are the keyboards the most creative instrument for you? Will the new album be rather guitar leaded, or atmospheric?
Lately I have been more creative on the guitar. The new album is definitely heavier on guitars than the last album. I created a lot of the songs with guitar parts first in mind and accented them later with keyboard melodies. I think that on this new album the guitars ended up creating the same type of musical tapestries and atmosphere that the keyboards typically did. I wouldn’t say that I will ever abolish keyboards but I will never force myself to use them if I don’t feel it to be necessary.
9. What are the moments, when the most interesting riffs are coming on your mind? At lengthy evenings, seclusion, or just randomly?
It usually happens when I am improvising on the guitar or the keyboard. It can be any time of the day though I enjoy the process more when I am undisturbed for long periods of time, in the evenings with a nice alcoholic drink.
10. In my opinion, America, and the whole scene oversea actually, is superfluously condemned - mostly by Europeans. Bands like Xasthur, Nachtmystium, Leviatan or Lurker of Chalice are one of the best bands around the world really. I don't know much about the contacts between the territorial bands, therefore I wonder, what are the relationships between persons, who do you like the most both musically and in person and which albums appeals to you the most lately? I must say for myself, that I didn't hear a better album in a long time, than the latest Vrolok release.
As far as bands from the U.S. I have maintained contact with Malefic from Xasthur over the last 4-5 years. That’s about it. I enjoy his music a lot and definitely find a kinship in our musical visions. I don’t have any other examples to give you as I really keep to myself and I am not very involved in my scene. As far as the albums that appeal the most to me lately I would say Xasthur’s ‘Subliminal Genocide” and Leviathan’s split with Sapthuran “The Blind Wound”. Outside of the US I have recently really been impressed by Italy’s Tenebrae in Perpetuum’s entire discography and well as Beatrik’. Their music and sound really resonates and I think they are extremely underrated.
11. America is kind of a commixture of the all communities around the world, it's full of conflicts, but what I've heard a several times, the people from the majority of the places there, are much more complaisant than in France for instance. You're under the leadership of George W. Bush, who is haunted and hated by many people. The Republicans are leading America into problems, which should (would-be) show it's domination among the world, but are only undermining themselves. Are you satisfied living in America, with the government, etc...?
No. Of course I am not satisfied by the way this country’s government has been enforcing its policies domestically and internationally. On the flip side however there are many aspects of living in this country that are quite positive. Being from Italy I have definitely seen strong beaurocratic efficiencies here in the US that are hopelessly lacking and tedious by comparison in Italy. What you have here in the US is the opportunity to really be self-sufficient and responsible for your own socio-economic status, regardless of who you are or where you come from. Although I have strong ties to my mother land of Italy (my entire family resides there) I am not going to live the U.S. anytime soon.
12. Thank you for your interest, you've showed by interview with our zine. I hope, the new album will be at least as good as „A World Through Dead Eyes"! The final words are yours...
Thank you for the non-typical questions and for you support of Krohm!
